Diary of Doom

Chapter 92 - J.J. Anselmi Part II

J.J. Anselmi returns in part two of our conversation as we dive deeper into Doomed to Fail, including Fenriz's love for electropop, taking in Eyehategod big gooey warts and all, how an unproduced Thirty-Three and a Third on Dopesick turned into Doomed to Fail, John Darnielle: Master of Reality and Wordsmithing, appreciating fantasy through metal, the one lineup he would like to see once more, the curious case of Floor, Harvey Milk doing their Harvey Milk thing, velcro as a metaphor for doom sounds, and when GWAR told him about Dimebag's death.

You can find out more about J.J. by visiting his website and follow him on Twitter and Instagram for more updates on Doomed to Fail, which will have a softcover edition released this fall, but you can still get the hardcover via Rare Bird Books. If you can support your local book store by purchasing a copy from them, please do so!

Chapter 91 - J.J. Anselmi Part I

Back in March 2020, J.J. Anselmi's anticipated book, Doomed to Fail, hit the stands just as the world was entering the global pandemic we are still reeling from. It was darkly fitting, given that the sonic feel of doom and sludge was about where our brains were for most of the year. J.J. was kind enough to take some time out of his day and be the second J.J. to grace the podcast.

In the first of two parts, we dive into J.J.'s upbringing and how he learned the ins and outs of doom and sludge, broaching topics like if Axl Rose would show up to fight Vince Neil, his Wyoming coal mining boomtown youth being comparable to Sabbath's Birmingham, Korn as his gateway band, bicycle-tinged Sleep appearances in Gummo and BMX videos, down to earth doom, whether to master the underground or break in big, how much we owe the blues for fuzz and distortion, the grim and violent side of America, and the psychic toll of death doom.

Stay tuned for part two of our chat next Thursday!

You can find out more about J.J. by visiting his website and follow him on Twitter and Instagram for more updates on Doomed to Fail, which will have a softcover edition released this fall, but you can still get the hardcover via Rare Bird Books. If you can support your local book store by purchasing a copy from them, please do so!

Chapter 90 - Matt C. White - Dead Seconds/Grandpa Jack/Realizer

Before we get rolling, we need to offer a big apology to our guest. The first half of this chapter has some particularly gnarly audio. That's what you get for recording outside, in Brooklyn, in a helicopter route, next to a produce truck, on a very windy day.

As it is, our guest for this chapter is Matt C. White, who you probably know from his outfits Dead Seconds, Grandpa Jack and Realizer, as well as his solo albums. Over beers, Matt and Dylan bond over Mastodon bonding over Thin Lizzy, weird Clutch shows, trading half a Quiznos sub for a burned copy of Nevermind, if they actually learned anything from their parents during the 90s, Misfits>Kiss, how stumbling into the NY doom scene was a pure happy accident, awkward closing tracks, being occult-lite, and weird metal covers.

Matt's next solo release, Creepshow Peepshow: Act II will be dropping in September. The track featured here is the first single, "Mr. Bloody Bones."

You can support Matt over at his Bandcamp page and also be sure to checkout the pages for Dead Seconds, Grandpa Jack, and Realizer.

Chapter 89 - Lightmaker

Our host has taken up a new residence and moved the Doom Cave out to Brooklyn, so it is only fitting to be speaking with an NYC band this week. Jack, Brian, and Jade of Lightmaker stop by to talk about metal over old folkies and yacht rock, an all bass cover of "Big Bottom", living dangerously with Craig's List, growing up with Colorado metal hippies, Dopesmoker - the slowest prog rock song ever, being college buddies with Intronaut's Joe Lester, Jinx Dawson's bedazzled mask, pressing albums to floppy disks, what's in store for 2021 shows, and Conan being fucking loud.

Support Lightmaker over at their Bandcamp

Cameo by Peanut the dog

Track featured is "Sweet Fire" off their self-titled album

Note: We are very aware of the fishbowl sound on Dylan's voice. We've got some hardware on the way to fix that problem!

Chapter 88 - Satanik Royalty Records Showcase - Dark Meditation

Our Satanik Royalty Showcase will conclude for now with Ryan and Adam of Dark Meditation. Having been bandmates for 20 years, they've been in a swath of outfits across genres and this is their latest venture. During our chat, we talk about D'Anno over Dickinson, finding the positive spirituality in Sabbath and Trouble, using the band as a personal outlet, burning art galleries holding up Church of Misery and Black Wizard, Matt Bayles strikes again (this time with production notes), a quick shot of butt rock, how isolation made for efficient recordings, and when their demo blew up.

Support Dark Meditation as well as Satanik Royalty over at their main hub.

Track featured is "Polluted Temples" off their Nocture Demos

Note: This was recorded in May.

Chapter 87 - Satanik Royalty Records Showcase - Old Iron

Our Satanik Royalty showcase continues with the heaviest band this side of Seattle, Old Iron. Jerad, Trent, and old pal Jesse (see our last episode with Sandrider) join in to talk about strip club bass procurement, how a busy drummer saved the band, the strange case of Hella and Don Caballero, why Seattle is a perpetual music town, avoiding a garage full of records, how to say Rwake, playing with Power Trip, tiptoeing back to live shows, theoretically playing The Garden, opening up a hacky sack pit, and competing with Thomas the Tank Engine for SEO placement.

Support Old Iron and don't forget to check out the Satanik Royalty main hub as well.

Track featured is "Friday Glendale" off Lupus Metallorum.

Photo by Matt Koroulis

Much love to The Jesus Lizard and The Butthole Surfers!

Please note: This episode was recorded in May.

Chapter 86 - Satanik Royalty Records Showcase - Sandrider

Back in April, Seattle Mayor of Metal Freiburger launched Satanik Royalty Records, an independent music label and clothing line. Freiburger's goal is to expand on exactly what he does best: supporting the Seattle underground scene as well as the local indigenous and non-binary communities. Diary of Doom will be showcasing the bands on Satanik Royalty's initial roster. We previously spoke with Freiburger and the rest of deathCAVE earlier this year in Chapter 67 if you want to check that out.

After Freiburger elaborates on how the label came to final fruition during the pandemic, we dive into our chat with Sandrider. Sandrider came into existence as a response from members Jon and Nat to the grueling nature of their previous band, hardcore darlings Akimbo. Along with bassist Jesse, they delve into how if The Germs could do it anybody could, Nirvana backlash and appreciation, local heroes Botch and Karp, getting on Monday Night Football, why it is convenient to be called grunge, the bitter truths of working with a label, and drunk offers from Matt Bayles.

Featuring appearances by Balrog the Corgi, Clover the Pug, and Willow the Pekingese-Pug-Chihuahua Chimera Dog.

Check out Satanik Royalty over on their website for more info and merch and support Sandrider over at their Bandcamp page.

You should also check out Jon's podcast that he does with Jeff McNulty called Tomorrow We Die! in which they interview touring bands about what it is really like to be on the road and boy are there some stories to be heard. We have been enjoying the fuck out of it.

Tracks featured are "The Road" by deathCAVE off Smoking Mountain (featuring Dave Verellen) and "Hollowed" by Sandrider off Armada.

 

Please note: These episodes were recorded in May and there is a slight echo in some parts, so apologies!

Chapter 85 - Indus Valley Kings

Long Island trio Indus Valley Kings released their debut LP earlier this year. New Jersey and Long Island accents collide as they talk about hardcore, getting added to the Maryland Doom Fest lineup, only letting Sabbath play on the classic rock station, the unfortunate tribute band Bon Journey, slow ass fight scenes, OG NJ heavy rock, making the most of the pandemic downtime, Vince Neil's new language and his future battle with Glenn Danzig.

Support the Indus Valley Kings.

Track featured is "Cactus People" off of their debut self-titled LP.

Chapter 84 - Oryx

The Colorado metal scene is currently experiencing a lush and fertile era, bolstered by a strong community that looks out for each other and makes efforts to check elitism at the door. With a new record out now, Denver's Oryx has injected a fresh feel into their sound by utilizing the massive amount of talent present in the area (we're talking Many Blessings, Cthonic Deity, AND Blood Incantation members all guesting on the record). Tommy and Abbey delve into their beginnings in Las Cruces, New Mexico and how their DIY ethics made them a perfect fit in Colorado, along the way touching on Spice World VHS tapes, layers of Earth, when From Ashes Rise took a head shot to their pride, taking a firm stance against algorithmic commercialization and gatekeeping, reflect on the barbarism of the human race, Jus Oborn's absinthe fueled brisket binge, the dynamics of being married in a band, and the spectrum of what is heavy music.

Support Oryx. Lamenting a Dead World is available for purchase on their Bandcamp and over at Translation Loss Records.

Track featured is "Last Breath" off of Lamenting a Dead World.

Photograph by Alvino Salcedo

Chapter 83 - Ode to Doom Returns

Returning from way back in chapter two, Claudia Crespo comes back to usher in some good news: Ode to Doom is returning! Claudia moved out to Oregon since we last spoke with plans to continue to produce Ode to Doom from the West Coast. Naturally, COVID-19 upended those plans, but with shows on the horizon, she can again focus on putting together the showcase and her online store, Tie Dye City. All that plus why it was all flan's fault, crazy Oregon drivers, why the move had to happen, the sexual unattraction of Birkenstocks, precious ignorance on cars and boiling eggs, why Arlene's Grocery is the only home for OTD, a need for live music, and a strong stan for Phil Collins.

Ode to Doom returns on September 15th! Follow the Instagram and Facebook page for more updates.

Follow Claudia on Instagram and check out Tie Dye City on Etsy and Instagram.